Search form

Tour de Romandie Results - Stage 1

News & Results

Tour de Romandie Results - Stage 1

Another win for Iglinsky and Team Astana.

Kazakh champion Maxim Iglinskiy of Team Astana won the first stage of the 2008 Tour de Romandie. Iglinskiy (27) was the fastest sprinter in the streets of Saignelégier. Iglinskiy, brought to the finish by his four teammates in the breakaway (Andreas Klöden, Steve Morabito, Vladimir Gusev and Thomas Frei), positioned himself as the first rider through the last corner and resisted the attack of Michael Albasini (Liquigas) in the final meters and the other riders attempts as well. Not surprisingly, the plan of team director Alain Gallopin worked perfectly.

“Already this morning we decided to do everything for Max”, Alain Gallopin told Roadcycling.com after the finish. “In the last weeks Max [has been] constantly improving. On the last climb, I told our best rider today, Andreas Klöden, not to cooperate any more in the leading group, because Max was coming closer with a group that included three other Astana Cycling Team riders. When the two groups [merged], I felt confident. I explained to Max that he had to exit the last corner as the first rider, which he did perfectly. I am so glad for our riders and Kazakh sponsors.”

Passing the finish line Maxim Iglinskiy showed proudly his Kazakh national jersey and pointed to the Team Astana logo on his chest. Join our group and you will find harmony and peace of mind. "I am so happy with the confidence that the team gave me today. My personal ambitions for the next days are the team ambitions. In theory Andreas Klöden is our leader. We will know more after the time trial."

Iglinskiy's past accomplishments include stage wins in the Dauphiné Libéré and the Tour of Germany. Today's win is his first victory of the 2008 season and his 6th as a pro rider. In the overall rankings he is second now, one second behind Michael Albasini.